TRURO, NS, Feb. 6, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development, delivered a keynote speech today at the Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce that focused on Canada's Skills for Jobs Agenda, the Government's plan to help ensure Canadians have the skills and training for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

The Minister talked about one of the greatest challenges facing the economy—the paradox of too many people without jobs and too many jobs without people—and outlined the Government of Canada's priorities, including employer-led training, harmonization of skills training, improved labour mobility, better labour market information and faster foreign credential recognition for internationally trained professionals.

Minister Kenney stressed the importance of enhancing the participation of under-represented groups in the workforce, such as youth and Aboriginal people. He highlighted initiatives and investments related to skills training and improving labour market inclusion for all Canadians, such as the Canada Job Grant, the Youth Employment Strategy, the Canada Apprentice Loan, apprenticeship grants and initiatives for Aboriginal skills training.

The Minister also talked about the opportunities on the horizon for the Canadian economy and the need for all key players, including the private sector, provinces and territories and post-secondary institutions, to work together to ensure Canadians are prepared for the opportunities to come.

Quick Facts

Canada recently reached a free trade deal with the European Union that will create almost 80,000 new jobs for Canadians.

The National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy is expected to create an estimated 15,000 jobs, resulting in over $2 billion in annual economic benefit for Canada.

The shipbuilding contract awarded this January to Irving Shipbuilding Inc. will result in an estimated 1,000 jobs in Halifax.

According to BuildForce Canada, in Nova Scotia, more than 6,600 workers in construction-related trades will retire over the next 10 years, increasing labour market demand.

The Government of Canada signed the Canada Job Grant with Nova Scotia on June 30, 2014, which will provide employers with up to $10,000 for training costs for an individual worker, including tuition and training materials.

Quote

"The Government of Canada is focused on creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity. Canada's Skills for Jobs Agenda is our plan to ensure that Canadians have the skills they need for in-demand jobs to address the paradox of too many Canadians without jobs in an economy of too many jobs without Canadians. All key players, including provinces, territories, the private sector and post-secondary institutions, must work together so that Canadians are prepared for and able to seize the opportunities to come."– The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development

For further information: Lauren Armstrong, Office of Minister Kenney, 819-994-2482; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca, Follow us on Twitter